List of U.S. political families
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During its history the United States has seen many families who have repeatedly produced notable politicians from their ranks, and these historic U.S. political families have had a significant impact on politics in the United States.
Many of these families have moved to national prominence from a state or regional power base. The Kennedys, for example, are particularly associated with Massachusetts; the Long family is identified with Louisiana, the Lees with Virginia, and the Tafts with Ohio. Other political families are less connected with a specific state; the Bush family began in Connecticut, but is now more closely identified with Texas, and a member of the family is the governor of Florida. Kennedy family member Maria Shriver's husband Arnold Schwarzenegger is now governor of California.
See also Political families of the world.
Families
Here are some of the more notable families visible on a national level:
The Adamses
Main article: Adams political family
- Samuel Adams, organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signatory of the Declaration of Independence
- John Adams, second President of the United States, second cousin of Samuel Adams.
- John Quincy Adams, sixth President, and the first who was the son of a President, John Adams.
- Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, son of John Quincy Adams
- Charles F. Adams, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, grandson of Charles Francis Adams.
- Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, son of John Quincy Adams
- John Quincy Adams, sixth President, and the first who was the son of a President, John Adams.
The Bayhs
Main article: Bayh family
- Birch E. Bayh II, U.S. senator from Indiana and presidential candidate in 1976
- B. Evans "Evan" Bayh III (son of Birch II), former governor of Indiana, current U.S. senator from Indiana
The Browns
Main article: Brown family
- Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Sr., Governor of California 1959 - 1967, candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States President in 1960.
- Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr., Governor of California 1975 - 1983, candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States President 1976, 1980, 1992, Mayor of Oakland 1998 - present, son of Pat Brown.
- Kathleen Brown, California State Treasurer 1991 - 1995, Democratic candidate for Governor of California (1994), daughter of Pat Brown.
- Harold C. Brown, Justice of the California Court of Appeal, 1966 - 1976, brother of Pat Brown.
(The Browns are not related to Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco, California and former Speaker of the California State Assembly.)
The Bushes
Main article: Bush family
Two members of the Bush family have served as President of the United States and a number of Bush family members have served in other high offices:
- Franklin Pierce, President, ancestor of Barbara Bush.
- Samuel P. Bush, a close advisor to President Hoover, was president of the National Association of Manufacturers.
- Prescott Bush (son of Samuel P. Bush), served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
- George H. W. Bush (son of Prescott Bush), representative from Texas, Ambassador to the United Nations, Director of the CIA, chairman of the Republican National Committee, 43rd Vice President, and 41st President.
- George W. Bush (son of George H. W. Bush), Governor of Texas, and 43rd President
- John E. "Jeb" Bush (son of George H. W. Bush), is Governor of Florida
- Prescott Bush Jr., served as chairman of the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce.
- George H. W. Bush (son of Prescott Bush), representative from Texas, Ambassador to the United Nations, Director of the CIA, chairman of the Republican National Committee, 43rd Vice President, and 41st President.
- Prescott Bush (son of Samuel P. Bush), served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
The Byrds and Floods
- Henry D. Flood was Congressman from Virginia 1901-1921.
- Harry F. Byrd Sr., nephew of Henry D. Flood, was governor of Virginia 1926-1930 and a Senator from Virginia 1933-1965.
- Harry F. Byrd Jr., son of Harry F. Byrd Sr., was a U.S. senator from Virginia 1965-1983.
(The Virginia Byrds are not related to Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia)
The Carnahans
- A.S.J. Carnahan (1897-1968), U.S. Representative from Missouri, 1945-1947 and 1949-1961, U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, 1961-1963.
- Melvin E. Carnahan (1934-2000), son of A.S.J. Carnahan, governor of Missouri, 1993-2000, died in plane crash while running for United States Senate, posthumously elected.
- Jean Carnahan (b. 1933), wife of Mel Carnahan, appointed to Senate in his stead, 2000, served 2001-2003.
- Russ Carnahan, son of Mel and Jean Carnahan, elected to U.S. House 2004.
- Robin Carnahan, daughter of Mel and Jean Carnahan, elected Missouri Secretary of State, 2004.
The Carrolls
The Carrolls of Maryland were a very active family during the early history of the United States
- Charles Carroll, Barrister (1723 - 1783), delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland.
- Daniel Carroll (1730 - 1796) - Member of the United States Constitutional Convention, U.S. Representative from Maryland, first cousin of Charles the Barrister.
- John Carroll (1735 - 1815), First Roman Catholic Bishop of Baltimore, brother of Daniel, first cousin of Charles the Barrister.
- Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737 - 1832), delegate to the Continental Congress, signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, U.S. Senator from Maryland, first cousin of Charles the Barrister, Daniel and John.
The Celebrezzes
- Anthony J. Celebrezze Sr. (1910-1998): Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio; U.S. secretary of health, education, and welfare; judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Anthony J. "Tony" Celebrezze Jr. (died 2003), son of Anthony Sr.: Ohio state senator; Ohio secretary of state; Ohio attorney general; Democratic nominee for Ohio governor
- Anthony J. Celebrezze III, son of Anthony Jr.
- Frank D. Celebrezze Sr., son of Anthony Sr.: Chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
- Frank D. Celebrezze Jr. (born 1952), son of Frank Sr.: Ohio appeals court judge
- James P. Celebrezze, son of Anthony Sr.: Ohio Supreme Court judge
- Anthony J. "Tony" Celebrezze Jr. (died 2003), son of Anthony Sr.: Ohio state senator; Ohio secretary of state; Ohio attorney general; Democratic nominee for Ohio governor
- Frank D. Celebrezze I (died 1953), brother of Anthony Sr.: Cleveland municipal judge; Cleveland director of safety; assistant Cuyahoga County, Ohio, prosecutor
The Churches and Clarks
- Frank Church, U.S. Senator from Idaho from 1957 - 1981. Son in law of Chase Addison Clark.
- Chase Addison Clark, Governor of Idaho from 1941 - 1953. Brother of Barzilla W. Clark.
- Barzilla W. Clark, Governor of Idaho from 1937 - 1939.
The Clintons and Rodhams
- William J. Clinton, 42nd President
- Hillary Rodham Clinton (wife of Bill Clinton), U.S. senator from New York
- Hugh Rodham (brother of Hillary), Democratic candidate for U.S. senator from Florida (1994)
The Cornings
- Erastus Corning, mayor of Albany, New York, 1834-1837; formed New York Central railroad. U.S. Congressman from New York, 1857-1859, 1861-1863.
- Parker Corning (grandson of Erastus Corning), U.S. Congressman from New York, 28th District, 1923-1937.
- Edwin Corning (grandson of Erastus Corning), New York Democratic chair, 1926-1928; Lieutenant Governor of New York, 1927-1928.
- Erastus Corning II (son of Edwin Corning), mayor of Albany, 1941-1983.
The D'Alesandros
- Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro, Jr., Congressman, Mayor of Baltimore.
- Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III, Mayor of Baltimore, son of Thomas, Jr.
- Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, member of the House of Representatives from California, daughter of Thomas, Jr.
The Daleys
Main article: Daley family
Two members of the Daley family served as Mayor of Chicago, between them ruling the city for more than a third of a century.
- Richard J. Daley, mayor from 1955 until 1976.
- Richard M. Daley (son of Richard J. Daley), mayor since 1989.
- William M. Daley (son of Richard J. Daley), U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 1997 until 2000.
The DeWines
- Michael DeWine: U.S. representative from Ohio, lieutenant governor of Ohio, U.S. senator from Ohio
- Pat DeWine, Michael's son: Cincinnati, Ohio, city councilman
- Kevin DeWine, Michael's second cousin: Ohio state representative
The Dingells
- John D. Dingell Sr. (1894-1955), U.S. representative from Michigan, 1933-1955.
- John D. Dingell Jr. (b.1926), son of John Sr., U.S. representative from Michigan, 1955-present.
- Chris Dingell, son of John Dingell Jr., Michigan state senator, 1998-present, presumed candidate for John Dingell Jr.'s House seat upon his retirement.
- John D. Dingell Jr. (b.1926), son of John Sr., U.S. representative from Michigan, 1955-present.
The Doles
- Robert Dole, Senator from Kansas 1969-1997, Republican Presidential candidate in 1996.
- Elizabeth Dole (wife of Robert Dole), Senator from North Carolina since 2001.
The Dulleses
Main article: Dulles family
Several members of the Dulles family served in important positions, including:
- John Watson Foster, secretary of state under President Benjamin Harrison.
- John Foster Dulles, secretary of state from 1953 - 1959 (grandson of John Foster).
- Avery Dulles, son of John Foster Dulles, is a cardinal of the Catholic Church.
- Allen Dulles, second director of the CIA, brother of John Foster Dulles.
- John Foster Dulles, secretary of state from 1953 - 1959 (grandson of John Foster).
- Robert Lansing, Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson (uncle of John Foster Dulles).
The du Ponts
Main article: du Pont family; also see du Pont company
The du Pont immigrant to the United States, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) was deputy of the Third Estate to the Estates-General for the region of Nemours in France. The du Pont political dynasty is based on the family's manufacturing empire in Delaware.
- May Lammot du Pont married Willard Saulsbury U.S. Senator from Delaware (elected 1912).
- Renée de Pelleport du Pont married LeRoy Harvey, mayor of Wilmington, Delaware.
- Ethel du Pont (1916-1965) married Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr., son of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) and Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962).
- Pierre Samuel du Pont IV (born 1935) was a U.S. Congressman from Delaware (1971-1974) & Governor of Delaware (1977-1985).
- Henry Algernon du Pont (1838-1926) was Senator from Delaware 1905-1916.
- Thomas Coleman du Pont (1863-1930) was Senator from Delaware (1921-1928).
The Eisenhowers
Main article: Eisenhower family
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Forces, president
- John Eisenhower, Dwight's son, Army officer and ambassador to Belgium
- David Eisenhower, John's son, eponym of Camp David and son-in-law of Richard Nixon
- John Eisenhower, Dwight's son, Army officer and ambassador to Belgium
The Feltons
Main article: Felton family
- William Harrell Felton, Georgia Congressman 1875-1881
- Rebecca Latimer Felton, his widow, Georgia senator 1922 - oldest person to enter the Senate, first woman in the Senate, and shortest Senator to hold office
The Frelinghuysens
- Frederick Frelinghuysen (1753-1804), New Jersey delegate to Contintental Congress, 1778, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1793-1796.
- Theodore Frelinghuysen (1787-1862), son of Frederick Frelinghuysen, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1829-1835.
- Frederick T. Frelinghuysen (1817-1885), nephew of Theodore Frelinghuysen, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1866-1869 and 1871-1877; United States Secretary of State, 1881-1885.
- Joseph S. Frelinghuysen (1869-1948), nephew of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1917-1923.
- Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr. (b. 1916), great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Frelinghuysen, U.S. Congressman from New Jersey, 5th District, 1953-1975.
- Rodney Frelinghuysen (b. 1946), son of Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr., U.S. Congressman from New Jersey, 11th District, 1995-present.
The Gilligans and the Sebeliuses
Main articles: Gilligan family and Sebelius family
- John J. Gilligan was a U.S. representative from 1965 to 1967 and governor of Ohio from 1971 to 1975.
- His daughter, Kathleen Sebelius, is currently the governor of Kansas.
The Gores
Main article: Gore family
- Albert A. Gore Sr. was a U.S. representative and senator from Tennessee.
- His son, Albert A. Gore Jr., was a U.S. representative and U.S. senator from Tennessee, vice president, and presidential candidate.
Writer Gore Vidal has asserted that his grandfather, Thomas Pryor Gore, was related to the Al Gores of Tennessee, but no such relationship has been proven.
The Hagans
- Robert E. Hagan was a Trumbull County, Ohio, commissioner and held a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives
- Timothy Hagan, his son, was a Cuyahoga County, Ohio, commissioner and Democratic nominee for Ohio governor
- Robert F. Hagan, Tim's brother, is a member of the Ohio Senate
The Harrisons
Main article: Harrison family
- Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
- Carter Bassett Harrison (son of Benjamin V), member of Virginia state legislature, U.S. Representative from Virginia.
- William Henry Harrison (son of Benjamin V), the 9th President
- John Scott Harrison (son of William Henry), U.S. Representative from Ohio.
- Benjamin Harrison (son of John Scott), 23rd President.
- William Henry Harrison (grandson of Benjamin), U.S. Representative from Wyoming.
- Benjamin Harrison (son of John Scott), 23rd President.
- John Scott Harrison (son of William Henry), U.S. Representative from Ohio.
The Hearsts
Main article: Hearst family
- George Hearst, U.S. Senator from California.
- William Randolph Hearst (son of George), U.S. Representative from New York, newspaper baron.
The Houghtons
The Houghtons are heirs to the Corning glass fortune.
- Alanson B. Houghton was U.S. Representative from New York from 1918 to 1922, and was later appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany and Great Britain.
- Amory Houghton served as Ambassador to France from 1957 to 1961.
- Amo Houghton a former CEO of Corning Glass Works, served as U.S. Representative from New York from 1987 to 2004
- Amory Houghton served as Ambassador to France from 1957 to 1961.
The Humphreys
- Hubert H. Humphrey II was the 38th vice president, previously (and subsequently) U.S. senator from Minnesota and mayor of Minneapolis.
- Muriel Humphrey, Hubert's wife, was appointed to the U.S. Senate upon his death in 1978 to complete his term.
- Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III, son of Hubert and Muriel, served as attorney general of Minnesota from 1983 to 1999, and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1998.
The Hutchinsons
- Asa Hutchinson served as a U.S. Representative from Arkansas from 1997 to 2001, and was one of the House managers during the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton. He had taken over the seat formerly occupied by his brother. He was appointed administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2001.
- Tim Hutchinson, Asa's brother, served in the Arkansas House of Representatives 1985–1992, as a U.S. Representative from Arkansas 1993–1997, and as U.S. Senator from Arkansas 1997–2003.
The Johnsons
- Lyndon B. Johnson, President from 1963 - 1969. Father-in-law of Charles S. Robb.
- Charles S. Robb, Governor of Virginia from 1982 - 1986. U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1989 - 2001.
The Kennedys
Main article: Kennedy family
Some commentators in the early 1960s made predictions that President John F. Kennedy would be first of a dynasty in the White House, but these predictions were not borne out, and the idea largely dropped off the public's radar after Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 and Edward Kennedy was involved in a drunk-driving incident (in which a passenger in his car was killed) in 1969. However, a number of Kennedy family members have held high office since then.
- Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., U.S. Ambassador to the U.K.
- John F. Kennedy (son of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.), Senator from Massachusetts, President of the United States.
- Robert F. Kennedy (son of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.), Attorney General, Senator from New York.
- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (daughter of Robert F. Kennedy), Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.
- Joseph P. Kennedy II (son of Robert F. Kennedy), Representative from Massachusetts.
- Jean Kennedy Smith (daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.), Ambassador to Ireland.
- Edward M. Kennedy (son of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.), Senator from Massachusetts.
- Patrick J. Kennedy (son of Edward M. Kennedy), Representative from Rhode Island.
The Kennedys have also made marriages with political figures:
- Eunice Kennedy (daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.) is married to (Robert) Sargent Shriver, Jr., who was a Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 1972 and is a descendant of David Shriver, a delegate of the Maryland state legislature in 1776.
- Television journalist Maria Shriver (daughter of Eunice Kennedy) is married to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California.
- Mark Kennedy Shriver (son of Eunice Kennedy) served as a delegate in the Maryland state legislature for two consecutive terms and ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives in 2002.
The La Follettes
Main article: La Follette family
- Robert M. La Follette, Sr., Governor of Wisconsin, Representative, Senator, and Presidential candidate.
The Lees
Main article: Lee family
The Lees of Virginia have produced many prominent national figures, including:
- Richard Henry Lee, signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress, President pro tempore of the United States Senate.
- Francis Lightfoot Lee, signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
- Henry Lee III, known as "Light Horse Harry", U.S. revolutionary leader.
- Charles Lee, Attorney General of the United States under John Adams.
- Robert E. Lee, Confederate general in the U.S. Civil War. His wife, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, was a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington.
- Fitzhugh Lee, Confederate general in the United States Civil War, Governor of Virginia, nephew of Robert E. Lee.
- Francis Preston Blair Lee, U.S. Senator from Maryland from 1914 - 1917. Great grandson of Richard Henry Lee.
- Blair Lee III, Governor of Maryland in the late 1970s. Grandson of Francis Preston Blair Lee.
The Levins
- Theodore Levin (1897-1970), was a federal judge
- Charles Levin, son of Theodore, was a Michigan Supreme Court judge
- Joseph Levin, brother of Charles and son of Theodore, was a candidate for U.S. representative from Michigan
- Saul Levin, brother of Theodore, was Honduran consul
- Carl Levin, son of Saul, is a U.S. senator from Michigan.
- Sander Levin, son of Saul and brother of Carl, is a U.S. representative from Michigan.
The Lodges
- Henry Cabot Lodge was a U.S. Representative, then U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, where he led the effort to defeat the Versailles Treaty.
- Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., actually his grandson, was a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and several countries, Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1960, and a candidate for President in 1964.
The Longs
Main article: Long family
The Longs of Louisiana have produced a number of important political leaders, including:
- George Long (brother of Huey and Earl Long), U.S. Representative.
- Huey Long (brother of George and Earl Long), governor of Louisiana, U.S. senator, and Presidential candidate.
- Rose McConnell Long (wife of Huey Long), U.S. senator.
- Russell B. Long (son of Huey and Rose McConnell Long), U.S. senator.
- Earl Long (brother of Huey and George Long), governor of Louisiana.
- Gillis Long (cousin of the above), Representative.
- Catherine Small Long (wife of Gillis Long), Representative.
- Speedy Oteria Long (cousin of the above), Representative.
The Metzenbaums and Hyatts
- James Metzenbaum: Prominant Cleveland, Ohio, lawyer and candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court
- Howard Metzenbaum, son of James: U.S. senator from Ohio
- Joel Hyatt, son-in-law of Howard Metzenbaum: Democratic nominee for U.S. senator from Ohio
- Howard Metzenbaum, son of James: U.S. senator from Ohio
The Murkowskis
Main article: Murkowski family
- Frank Murkowski, senator from and governor of Alaska.
- Lisa Murkowski (daughter of Frank), U.S. senator from Alaska (appointed to that position by her father to fill his spot when he was elected governor).
The Powells
Main article: Powell family
- Colin Powell, Army general, National Security Advisor, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of State.
- Michael Powell (son of Colin), Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
The Riffes
- Vernal G. Riffe Jr. was speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1975 to 1995.
- His son Vernal G. "Skip" Riffe III is a county commissioner in Scioto County, Ohio
The Rockefellers
Main article: Rockefeller family
- Nelson Aldrich, Senator from Rhode Island from 1881 to 1911. Grandfather of Nelson A. Rockefeller.
- Richard S. Aldrich, son of Nelson Aldrich and uncle of Nelson A. Rockefeller. U.S. Representative from Rhode Island from 1923 - 1933.
- Nelson A. Rockefeller, Governor of New York, Vice-President under Gerald Ford. Brother of Winthrop Rockefeller.
- Winthrop Rockefeller, Governor of Arkansas from 1967 to 1970.
- Jay Rockefeller (John D. Rockefeller, IV), Governor of and later Senator from West Virginia, great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller and nephew of Nelson Rockefeller.
- His wife Sharon is the daughter of Charles Percy, a U.S. Senator from Illinois from 1967 to 1985.
- Mark Dayton, Senator from Minnesota, is a brother-in-law of Jay Rockefeller.
- Win Rockefeller, son of Winthrop Rockefeller, Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas from 1996 through 2004.
The Romneys
Main article: Romney family
- George W. Romney, Governor of Michigan (1963-1969), Republican presidential candidate (1968), HUD Secretary (1969-1973)
- Willard Mitt Romney, son of George Romney. Governor of Massachusetts (2003- ).
The Roosevelts
Main article: Roosevelt family
- James I. Roosevelt, (1795 - 1875), U.S. Representative from New York.
- Robert B. Roosevelt, (1829 - 1906), U.S. Representative from New York, nephew of James I. Roosevelt.
- Theodore Roosevelt, (1858 - 1919), the 26th President, nephew of Robert B. Roosevelt.
- Thodore Roosevelt II (1887 - 1944), son of President Roosevelt. Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of Puerto Rico, Governor General of the Philippines, brigadier general.
- Kermit Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt, (1884 - 1962), niece of Theodore Roosevelt. First Lady of the United States, United States ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador without portfolio.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, (1882 - 1945), 32nd President, was fourth cousin once removed, and nephew by marriage (husband of Eleanor Roosevelt), of Theodore Roosevelt.
- James Roosevelt, (1907 - 1991), U.S. Representative from California, son of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., (1914 - 1988), U.S. Representative from New York, son of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Sheppards and Macks
- John Levi Sheppard (1852-1902), U.S. Congressman from Texas, 1899-1902.
- Morris Sheppard (1875-1941), son of John Levi Sheppard, U.S. Congressman from Texas, 1902-1913, Senator from Texas, 1913-1941.
- Connie Mack III (b. 1940), grandson of Morris Sheppard, U.S. Congressman from Florida 1983-1989, Senator from Florida 1989-2001.
- Connie Mack IV, son of Connie Mack III, U.S. Congressman from Florida first elected in 2004.
The Shrivers
- David Shriver, a delegate of the Maryland state legislature in 1776.
- (Robert) Sargent Shriver, Jr., who was a Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 1972 and is a descendant of David Shriver. He is married to Eunice Kennedy (daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.)
- Television journalist Maria Shriver (daughter of Sargent Shriver) is married to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California.
- Mark Kennedy Shriver (son of Sargent Shriver) served as a delegate in the Maryland state legislature for two consecutive terms and ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives in 2002.
- (Robert) Sargent Shriver, Jr., who was a Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 1972 and is a descendant of David Shriver. He is married to Eunice Kennedy (daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.)
The Stevensons
Main article: Stevenson family
The Stevensons of Illinois have produced a number of important political figures:
- Adlai Stevenson I, (1835 - 1914), U.S. vice president under Grover Cleveland.
- Adlai Stevenson II, (1900 - 1965), governor of Illinois, ambassador to the United Nations, 1952 and 1956 Democratic candidate for U.S. president, grandson of Adlai Stevenson I.
- Adlai Stevenson III, U.S. senator from Illinois, son of Adlai Stevenson II.
- Adlai Stevenson II, (1900 - 1965), governor of Illinois, ambassador to the United Nations, 1952 and 1956 Democratic candidate for U.S. president, grandson of Adlai Stevenson I.
The Talmadges
- Eugene Talmadge, Governor of Georgia 1933-1937, 1941-1943.
- Herman Talmadge, Governor of Georgia 1947, 1948-1955, Senator for Georgia, 1957-1981.
The Tafts
Main article: Taft family
The Tafts of Ohio have produced a number of leaders on the national stage, including:
- Alphonso Taft, U.S. secretary of war and U.S. attorney general under Ulysses S. Grant.
- William H. Taft I, 27th president of the United States and chief justice of the United States.
- Robert A. Taft I, U.S. senator from Ohio.
- Robert Taft (Jr.), U.S. senator from Ohio
- Robert A. Taft II, current governor of Ohio.
- Robert Taft (Jr.), U.S. senator from Ohio
- Charles Phelps Taft, publisher of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Times-Star.
- Robert A. Taft I, U.S. senator from Ohio.
- William H. Taft I, 27th president of the United States and chief justice of the United States.
Kingsley A. Taft, U.S. senator from Ohio and chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court Sheldon Taft, candidate for justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
The Udalls
Main article: Udall family
The Udalls of Arizona are a politically notable family in the West, among them
- Stewart Udall served as a United States Representative from Arizona (1955 - 1961) and also as Secretary of the Interior (1961 - 1969).
- Tom Udall, Stewart's son, is a U.S. Representative from New Mexico (since 1999).
- Mo Udall, Stewart's brother, also served as U.S. Representative from Arizona (1961 - 1991) and ran for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 1976.
- Mark Udall, Mo's son, is a U.S. Representative from Colorado (since 1999).
- Gordon Smith is a U.S. Senator from Oregon (since 1997); unlike the rest of the family, he is a Republican. His grandfather was a Udall and he is a second cousin to both Mark and Tom Udall.
